Celebrate 125 Years of Heritage and Innovation with the YMCA!
With God’s Grace, we shape tomorrow
As we step into 2026, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong marks an important milestone—our 125th Anniversary! With this significant moment, we are pleased to share that the first commemorative video of our 125th Anniversary is now live, inviting you to discover how the Bridges Street Centre transformed from a historic clubhouse into a cultural treasure of Hong Kong.
The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong was founded at the Bridges Street Centre in 1901 and relocated its headquarters to Waterloo Road in 1966, firmly rooted in the vibrant heart of Kowloon since then. Over the years, guided by our founding motto, “To serve, not to be served”, we dedicated our works to serving the local families, children and youth, and seniors through a wide range of recreation, education, healthcare, and hospitality services—walking with generations as they grow and bearing witness to the transformation of our society. As we look back on God’s guidance and blessings throughout our journey, we reaffirm our mission to serve society and nurture the younger generation.
We sincerely invite you to join us in celebrating this journey across generations and look forward to sharing a series of exciting activities with you.
The 125th Anniversary video series
The 125th Anniversary video series consists of 5 episodes. The videos showcase how the YMCA connects communities and carries happiness across generations. Stay tuned for the next 4 episodes and join us in celebrating this heartfelt journey!
Watch nowWu Kwai Sha Youth Village: Chinese New Year Open Day – A full day of fun for all!
The annual Chinese New Year Open Day at Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village will take place on 19 February 2026 (the third day of the Chinese New Year). We cordially invite everyone in Hong Kong to join us with family and friends to experience the festive and vibrant atmosphere of the season. This year’s event is even more enriched than in previous years, with the entire village open all day for everyone to enjoy and celebrate the holiday amidst our spacious lawns and the refreshing sea breeze.
On the Open Day, a wide range of campsite facilities will be available for visitors to enjoy free of charge, including the barbecue ground (first‑come, first‑served basis), basketball courts, and more. A variety of complimentary activities will also be offered, such as an inflatable maze, pickleball trial session, emerging sports experiences, and more. In addition, several paid activities will be available, including the bungee trampoline, archery, drone soccer battles, and others.
Furthermore, there will be a fantastic line-up of stage performances throughout the day, including singing, dancing, and acrobatics, a spectacular audio-visual treat for guests young and old.
At the same time, “Dai Tat Dei” market will feature over 60 stalls offering games, snacks, handicrafts, and festive souvenirs. Visitors can browse, shop, eat, and play all at once. The bustling atmosphere is sure to be infectious, and we guarantee a day packed with enjoyment!
Click her for Event details
Date: 19 February 2026 (Third day of the Chinese New Year)
Time: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Entrance Fee: $20 per person
Location: Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village
Free Webinar for Parents: "How to Address the Emotional Needs of Adolescent Children?"
As children enter adolescence, their emotions can become more intense and unpredictable. Many parents may find it challenging to understand how to respond or how best to support their teenagers during this transformative stage. To help parents better understand and care for the emotional needs of their teenagers, our Family Social Work Working Group is offering a free online seminar. Led by our clinical psychologist, Ms. Rachel Yu, the session will provide practical insights and guidance to help parents identify emotional signals and respond in ways that strengthen communication and connection.
Event Details
Date: 27 February 2026 (Friday)
Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Format: Online via Zoom
Speaker: Ms. Rachel Yu, Clinical Psychologist
Moderator: Ms. Connie Lau, School Social Worker
Fee: Free of charge
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/m77uX03yaQ
Registration Deadline: 21 February 2026
Share your blessings with floral and balloon creations from our social enterprises
As the Chinese New Year approaches, it is the perfect time to add a touch of warmth and joy to your celebrations. Our social enterprises, YM Fleur and YM Balloon, have curated a beautiful selection of floral arrangements and balloon designs for you. These creations are perfect for sending heartfelt wishes to your loved ones or adding a splash of festive colour to your home. Each piece is made with skilled and delicate craftsmanship by mothers from low-income families and our talented hearing-impaired balloon artists. Every design is not only unique and rich in symbolism, but also embodies the dedication and passion of its creator.
Whether you are decorating your home, preparing for a party, or looking for the perfect gift for loved ones, choosing these products helps create a wonderful festive atmosphere. More importantly, your purchase is an act of support and care. It empowers individuals from underprivileged communities to apply their skills, transforming this festive season into a meaningful opportunity. Every gift becomes a bridge, connecting our community with compassion.
Join us in supporting our social enterprises and make this Chinese New Year a warmer and more compassionate one for all!
To place an order, please submit the online form: https://shorturl.at/y2ogq . For enquiries or to order directly, you can also contact us via WhatsApp at 9630 1706 or 9122 1704.
YMCA's commitment to sustainable development recognised
Our ongoing commitment to ESG has earned widespread recognition. Following our recent commendation at the HKMA Sustainability Award 2025, we have received multiple honours across several prestigious ESG award ceremonies in Hong Kong. These achievements are highly encouraging and affirm our continuous efforts in advancing sustainable development.
We were honoured to receive the “ESG Special Recognition Award – with Merit” at the TVB ESG Awards, a testament to our team’s innovation and impact in promoting environmental and social initiatives. In addition, at the ESG Achievement Awards 2024/2025 (IESGB), we were presented with the “Outstanding ESG Award (NGO / NPO)– Platinum Award” and the “Outstanding Sustainability Vision Awards – Distinction Award”.Furthermore, our ESG Report has gained professional recognition, earning a place on the ” Winners of the Greater Bay Area ESG Excellent Disclosure List 2025″ at the Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards (HERA). This highlights our leading standards in information transparency, performance reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with the community, striving to benefit more families and social groups through our high-quality services, robust governance, and innovative projects.
Fostering collaboration in social services across the Greater Bay Area
Since the signing ceremony for social service co-operation projects in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with four Greater Bay Area social service organisations at the end of October 2025, our various units have been actively engaged in follow-up exchanges and collaborative efforts. These initiatives are designed to foster closer integration between social welfare organisations and services across the Greater Bay Area.
In Shenzhen, a delegation led by Dr. Jim Hui, our Acting Deputy General Secretary, and Ms. Jessica Shiu, Assistant Chief Officer, visited the Shenzhen Longgang Zhengyang Social Work Service Centre in early November 2025. The two parties engaged in in-depth discussions on mental health services, youth support, and innovative project models. They confirmed plans to organise a knowledge exchange and workshop in October 2026 to coincide with World Mental Health Day. To be coordinated by our Kwai Tsing & Tsuen Wan Youth Outreaching Social Work Team, the event will also pilot the innovative “social prescribing” model, with the aim of enhancing service effectiveness and introducing new practical perspectives to both regions.
In Guangzhou, during November 2025, we partnered with the廣州粵港澳大灣區社會組織合作發展中心to co-host the “Concluding Meeting for the ‘Beautiful Mascot’ Beach Clean-up Series and Exchange Meeting for Greater Bay Area Environmental Organisations”. Held under the theme “Reducing Plastic and Carbon for a Beautiful National Games”, the event invited 15 leaders from Chinese Mainland environmental groups to participate. It featured an ecological tour, an annual review, and an experience-sharing session, laying the groundwork for further collaboration with our Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village in 2026.
Later that month, our team was invited to participate in the廣州特殊兒童運動會暨全運盛會．童心嘉年華, an event guided by the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Guangzhou and hosted by Guangzhou YMCA. During the event, colleagues from our Kowloon Centre demonstrated Walking Football, while colleagues from our New Territories Centre introduced the Sports Therapy Programme for Schoolchildren. Through these inclusive sporting activities, we responded to the spirit of the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan and the National Games, promoting sports inclusion and community participation.
As for Huizhou, a delegation of Ms. Jessica Shiu, our Assistant Chief Officer; Ms. Abby Li, our Coordinating Secretary; and colleagues visited the 惠州市惠民社會工作服務中心 in Huizhou in December 2025. They held in-depth discussions focused on juvenile delinquency prevention and mental health. Both parties agreed to focus on “minors” as the key service target group and scheduled a three-day professional exchange for January 2026, to be planned by our Tsuen Wan Centre. The exchange will cover areas such as frontline practices, case management, and the assessment of Social Return on Investment (SROI).
As more Greater Bay Area collaborations come to fruition, we will continue to connect with our partners across the region, leveraging our professional knowledge, practical experience, and innovative ideas to drive the development of social services, so as to extend wellbeing across regions and into every community.
A heartwarming Christmas at Chai Wan Centre: Bringing generations together to spread festive blessings
On 13 December 2025, our Chai Wan Centre hosted the “A Journey of Gratitude: Santa’s Little Helpers” event, sharing warm festive blessings with seniors and children in the community. On the day, 50 seniors from the Chai Wan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre became Santa’s little helpers, partnering with 50 children for a day of intergenerational teamwork. They joined forces to complete a series of joyful tasks, including savouring festive treats, crafting handmade gifts, and writing cards of gratitude. The air was filled with constant laughter and a wonderfully warm atmosphere.
The event was also enthusiastically supported by more than 20 members of the Customs and Excise Department Volunteer Team. They thoughtfully prepared game stalls and presented every senior and child with heartfelt gifts. Through their interactions, the children, seniors, and volunteers shared a spirit of mutual gratitude and care. They bridged the age gap, weaving genuine bonds of community friendship and adding an extra layer of warmth to this season of thankfulness.
As city dwellers who often work overtime and frequently perform repetitive motions, we are more susceptible to joint pain or sports injuries that can affect our quality of life. The Association’s Health Care Professions Department is launching a regular monthly column and publishing short articles about self-care. Topics covered will include arthritis, joint pain and self-healing. For more detailed health-related information, please visit our website: hcp.ymca.org.hk or call 2783 3616for inquiries.
Why Do You Keep Spraining Your Ankle? The Answer Might Be Right Beneath Your Feet!
Frequent ankle sprains may be linked to the condition of your feet, especially if you have flat feet (pes planus). Flat feet occur when the arch of the foot collapses, causing the entire sole to contact the ground. Normally, the foot’s medial arch helps distribute body weight and absorb shock while walking or running. When the arch is lower than normal, it can cause muscle imbalance, excessive ligament strain, and impaired proprioception (the body’s sense of joint positioning), resulting in ankle instability.
Flat feet also lead to overpronation, where the foot rolls excessively inward. This misalignment stresses the ankle ligaments, particularly the deltoid ligament, weakening them over time and increasing the likelihood of ankle twists and sprains, especially during sports or walking on uneven terrain. Additionally, flat feet can weaken the fibularis muscles that stabilise the outer ankle, increasing lateral ankle instability.
While some cases of flat feet are permanent, others can be managed effectively to lower the risk of ankle injuries.
- Orthotic Insoles: Custom or over-the-counter arch supports can improve foot alignment.
- Strengthening Exercises: Toe curls, heel raises, and towel scrunches help build strength in the feet and ankles.
- Stretching: Regular calf stretches improve flexibility and reduce strain.
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